616 Tasting Notes

Oooph this is like drinking melting tropical fruit gummy bears mixed with a slightly vegetal green. And strangely not in a bad way. It’s very sweet and very fruity. I can pick out mango, pineapple and peach for certain, but it’s almost like there’s more fruity flavors in there that I can’t identify. Regardless, it grew on me throughout the cup.

I can only imagine how good this would have been cold steeped with frozen strawberries for ice cubes on a hot summer day. But of course, I’m drinking it hot and it’s below freezing out.

Flavors: Peach

Preparation

While I do enjoy this tea as a tea, it’s definitely not carrot cake and if I had bought it as a carrot cake tea, I’d actually be pretty disappointed. It’s a definite subtlety spiced blustery day tea. A tiny touch of sugar does a lot for bringing the spices forward, but I’m really finding myself longing for carrot and cake.

I wish that pumpkin wasn’t considered a seasonal flavor, because pumpkin doesn’t just stop being amazing after Thanksgiving. I hate that I feel like I need to squirrel away pumpkin teas so I can enjoy them year round. Rawr.

I just want it to be the gift that keeps on giving, is that too much to ask?

This cup has plenty of natural sweetness and a satisfying blend of pumpkin pie spices, which coax out the pumpkin flavor. The marshmallow doesn’t really come through, but adds a wonderful creaminess to the burnt sugar and caramel undertones of the whole cup.

Oh man. This is like a whole new Steepster experience. I don’t even know what to do with myself right now.

I forgot this one in the fridge on Saturday. I’m pleasantly surprised it held up until today , though. Sometimes teas can start tasting muddled and almost dirty if you leave them too, too long. This one stayed clean and crisp and has that wonderful mouthfeel.

In other news, I made another loaf of the Vanilla Earl Grey Cranberry Bread, jotted everything down, shared the recipe with some friends who asked after trying it. So I know the recipe is a winner. If anyone else wants the recipe let me know and I’ll gladly share!

So I had this this morning while I did some laundry (I’m so exciting!) and it kind of blew my expectations completely out of the water. From the dark cocoa powder smell of the bag to the rich, earthy cocoa essence in the flavor, this cup seriously delivers. This is a true replacement for dark chocolate cocoa. I just. Wow.

I’m mildly uncomfortable with how good this is being a bagged tea and all.

I liked this one, too. I tried the chocolate mint one and really really didn’t like it, but gmathis tried it and did. But I am not the biggest fan of mint, although I find it soothing in a lot of teas.

I love Ceylon iced, so that is absolutely what I did with this one. It’s a strong balanced Ceylon with a slightly thick mouthfeel and a clean finish. There are slight notes of fruit and malt. Overall a tasty, smooth offering. Thank you for the generous sample TeaTee!

Preparation

I’m finding that I like toffee and butterscotch better with white bases then black. They’re kind of buttery and almost too delicate to go that way. I think the base in this is slightly buttery and just a little creamy. I really like the slightly spicy cinnamon notes floating in here too. Yum.

I actually really like the little wooden box this came in. I’m looking forward to emptying it out and filling it with more treasures.

On the tea though, I’m not blown away, the base was initially overwhelming, and I couldn’t find the maple. After the cup cooled down to just warm, it was a decent. The blueberry flavor was blueberry and not offensively artificial, and the sweetness of maple came through after the blueberry faded. Satisfying, but really nothing more.

Bread update: I soaked my cranberries over night in Vanilla Creme EG and brown sugar with a touch of vanilla extract. Bread is due out of the oven in 53 minutes. Smells amazing, though.

Profile

Bio

Intro:

Name: Lauren
Location: Wisconsin (previously a Chicago girl)
Occupation: Student by day and super hero by night
Super Hero? Yep!
Which One? I can’t tell you that! Secret identities and such. Just know I’m not the hero they want, but the hero they need.
Sidekicks: Fiance and two budgies, Skitter and Gandalf

I grew up in a family where the only working coffee maker was in my dad’s office. So the name of the game for my mother and I quickly became (bagged) tea. In 2004/2005, I discovered Adagio Teas. I don’t remember how it happened, or why I decided to pursue a purchase but here we are. I haven’t looked back.

My tea tastes have changed over time and I’ve moved from liking solely flavored teas (mostly black and white) to enjoying Darjeelings primarily, though malty unflavored blacks, fresh tasting greens, and lightly oxidized oolongs come in pretty high on my list, too. Of course, I still enjoy a good cup of flavored tea. I prefer caffeinated teas, as I have a horrible caffeine addiction that I don’t plan on kicking any time soon.

Red rooibos and lapsang souchong (or other strongly smoky teas) are my arch nemeses and I will see them defeated and removed by force from my cupboard. Like all thing, there are exceptions, but I assume they’re guilty until proven innocent.

I really don’t like negatively rating things, because I feel like if you don’t have something nice to say, you probably shouldn’t say it. But in the interest of non-biased tea reviews I’m going to give it a shot. I view every tea as a potential adventure so I’ll try most things at least once.

I love trading and swaps are always welcome! Please note, though, what it in my cupboard includes amounts ranging from a couple cups to 4 ounces or more, so please PM me to find out if what you’re seeking is available in that trade amount.

According to my spreadsheet, I also have about 100 other 1-4 cup samples that are not in my cupboard.. Feel free to message if you’re interested in see the spreadsheet for possible swap options as well.

Tea Ratings:

100-95 Nectar of the teagods that has been bestowed upon my unworthy tongue. I will never let this tin run empty.

86-94 These are the teas I would like to keep regularly stocked, but sometimes life gets in the way. Lovely teas, but not quite god tier. I still get cravings for these.

74-85 Good teas, but not amazing. I enjoy these, but may or may not restock once they run out. I would still recommend these to others.

60-73 Not bad. I’ll gladly keep drinking my cup, and wouldn’t say no if someone offered me this tea. I probably won’t rebuy these as there is likely something else that is comparable and better.

47-59 Certainly drinkable and might even have some characteristics that I enjoy, but I won’t pick it up again